“Good, ready for the season to start and get back on the ice,” I tell him honestly.
“I miss those days.” He shakes his head, fondly.
“You going to come out of retirement, old man?” I goad and he shoves my shoulder.
“I could still beat you in a one-on-one game, don’t test me,” he challenges.
“Nah, you’re out of practice.”
“Okay, you two,” Mom interjects. “You can fight over hockey another time, we have people to see.”
My dad pulls my mom into him, dropping a kiss to the top ofher head as we walk from the parking lot to the venue. I watch them, admiring how in love they are. That’s how it’s always been. I know some of my friends in school would talk about their parents fighting or getting divorced. Not mine. I mean they’ve fought, but never seriously. It’s always good-natured bickering. And then of course they’ve never been shy about their affection for each other, which has led to Easton and I complaining about how gross they are a few times.
As I’ve grown up, it can still be gross how all over each other they are, but I can appreciate the fact that my parents love each other. And I can only hope to have that one day too.
We meet up with Rae’s parents, Spencer and Jared, and her older brothers Steele and Nash. They’re with my aunt Chandler and uncles Brent, Matt and Vince.
Growing up, I also learned that not everyone has a family with a poly relationship. I know there were times it was rough on my cousins Evie and Maya, their daughters. Evie is the oldest out of all of us, and got the bullying the worst, but Steele isn’t much younger and was able to make sure the assholes kids didn’t mess with her too much.
“Hey!” my mom exclaims, drawing the attention of her friends. They all greet each other, and I do the same with my “cousins.” Technically, Evie and Maya are my only “real” cousins, but it’s always easier to call each other cousins regardless.
“The party has arrived,” someone calls out, and when I turn, I see my aunt Audrey and uncle Charlie. Again, not technically related.
Yes, it’s confusing.
I grew up with this being my life and it still confuses me sometimes.
Though, I also grew up with family being more than blood and I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world to have the family I do.
Audrey and Charlie join the rest of our group, and when theyget to me, I’m tempted to ask if she’s heard from Asher after what Rae said the other night in Vegas. But I refrain for now.
We all walk into the venue and I feel Nash bump against me. He’s only eighteen months older than Rae and stands just below six feet. “You excited to see your girl again?”
I huff out a laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re going to start this too.”
“I’m on your side. And my sister’s. Which is why I want you both to stop denying your obvious feelings.”
I shake my head. “You all are ridiculous.”
“Weare not the ridiculous ones,” he hedges.
I don’t know what else to say. Luckily, I don’t have to say anything because we’re approaching the VIP section, and the music playing for the preshow is loud. My anticipation is heightened as I think of seeing her soon. Not only that, I get to see her in her element, up on the stage doing what she loves. All while I’m down here with my eyes locked, getting to stare at her uninterrupted the whole show. Admiring everything about her, taking her all in. Knowing in a way she’s mine, but at the same time knowing she never fully will be.
CHAPTER 5
Rae
Performing is one of my favorite things in the entire world.
Performing when my family and friends are here to watch, cheering me from the VIP section, makes it even better. Every time I catch their eyes I can’t help but smile. Especially when I see Grayson. He has his wire-rimmed glasses on, the ones he used to hate when we were younger. Easton gave him shit because he didn’t need them, but Grayson did. But I’ve always loved them on him.
I smile, pulling my attention back to the rest of the crowd and try to give them the best show of my life. Every time I want to improve, I want to make it worth their time and money, but tonight I want it more, because it’s my last of this tour.
During the last song of the night, I can’t help but look at the group of the most important people in my life, and take them all in. Aunt Chandler is swaying with her arms around Evie and Maya while their dads stand behind them just watching. My mom leans against my dad with a soft smile on her face mouthing the words as I sing them. Colton is holding Brynn from behind as they stand by my parents. Audrey and Charliesway together. My brothers are watching but almost look bored which makes me want to laugh.
Then there’s Grayson.
His focus is completely on me. He has a soft smile on his face, and I can see every angle of his chiseled face. I swear even with the bright lights shining on me I can even see the green of his eyes from up here.